G-cell counts in antral endoscopic biopsies by immunofluorescence.

Antral gastrin-producing cell (G-cells) were counted by an immunofluorescence technique in the antral biopsies obtained at endoscopy from 67 subjects; they included patients with duodenal ulcer, gastritis, and individuals with a normal gastric mucosa. The G-cell count was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) in patients with duodenal ulcer (142 G cells per mm2) in comparison to normal subjects (327 G cells per mm2). No statistically significant correlation was found between the G-cell number and any of the other parameters tested (pentagastrin test, basal serum gastrin and its response to a standard meal).